Many of us have asked, or been asked, what we’d do if we knew we had six months to live (or a year or whatever). What’s your answer?

The fact is, we’re all going to die but we don’t like to think about it in a personal sort of context. We give ourselves some longish horizon within which to work, to fulfill all our expectations for ourselves, so that when we don’t succeed we can always think to ourselves, “I’ve still got time.”

The German in this video was diagnosed with terminal leukemia and had one year to live. What he chose to make of the rest of his life is contrary to what most would do. He chose to risk his life by riding on the outside of a bullet train.

In a way I respect him. Rather than clinging to a fading hope he embraced his fate and lived a life without fear. In what other context could somebody ride on the outside of a 330km/h bullet train other than when their own life is no longer something they’re seeking to protect? People talk about facing death with dignity. This is more like facing death with chutzpah, with attitude.